Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The proposed temporary accommodation placement policy sets out how and where accommodation will be secured and provisions to ensure that accommodation is suitable for households, in line with legislation and statutory guidance.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the adoption of the proposed temporary accommodation placement policy.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   Adoption of a temporary accommodation placement policy, whilst not a statutory requirement, is sector good practice as it provides transparency and context to the Council’s approach to accommodating homeless households.

(2)   The Council is seeing increasing legal challenge of its homelessness decisions and case law suggests that authorities with temporary accommodation placement policies are more resilient to legal challenge, particularly with regard to out of area placements.

Audio recording – 38 minutes 6 seconds

The Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health presented the report entitled ‘Adoption of a Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy’ and advised:

·       The Council had a statutory responsibility to secure accommodation for specific groups of homeless households.

·       The report detailed where the accommodation would be provided and included provisions that were in line with legislation.

·       It was good practice for the Council to have this policy, but it was not a statutory requirement.

·       The key objective was to provide temporary accommodation within the district, or to ensure any out of area placements were minimised and were as near to the district as possible.

·       Last year 2,500 households registered to bid for affordable houses, but only 400 lets were met, as highlighted in paragraph 3.2 of the policy.

·       Details of the priority groups that qualified for temporary accommodation could be found in paragraphs 6.4-6.8 of the policy.

The following Members asked questions:

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

In response to questions the Strategic Housing Manager advised:

·       Since March 2020, as a result of Covid, there had been an increase in nightly paid temporary accommodation, which had resulted in a cost of £1 million to the Council in four years.

·       Most household placements were for single persons and not families.

·       Key placements were provided in hotels which were all in adjacent areas with good transport links.

·       There was a need for a functioning pathway in the district to reduce the need for hotel placements.

The following Members took part in a debate:

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

Points raised in a debate included:

·       It would be beneficial for Members to have a briefing on housing policies to provide guidance when communicating with residents.

·       It was useful that the policy specified the groups that were prioritised for accommodation.

Councillor Amy Allen proposed and Councillor Val Bryant seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the adoption of the proposed temporary accommodation placement policy.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   Adoption of a temporary accommodation placement policy, whilst not a statutory requirement, is sector good practice as it provides transparency and context to the Council’s approach to accommodating homeless households.

(2)   The Council is seeing increasing legal challenge of its homelessness decisions and case law suggests that authorities with temporary accommodation placement policies are more resilient to legal challenge, particularly with regard to out of area placements.